ANIMA

24. Real

Cassie

Life these days sucks and it's all because of Kenzie.

I have always known exactly who I am. Cassandra King, the one and only daughter of Mark and Serena King, business moguls, philanthropists and pillars of society. I am the subject of everyone's envy, even those that call themselves my friends. Just the way it's supposed to be.

Learning that I am not the daughter of Serena King but some nameless waitress has me questioning my whole existence.

It's all Kenzie's fault. If not for her and her meddlesome family I would have been happily oblivious. Instead I am having an identity crises.

Why did we have to overhear them? Why did they have to be nosy, how does the truth benefit anyone after all these years have passed?

For days after the confrontation I was on edge whenever I heard a phone go off. Always worried that I would open an ANIMA text to find all our family's dirty laundry displayed for all to see.

I am not exactly sure how they find the secrets they expose but I don't trust Kenzie or that Tom kid not to blab.

When ANIMA exposed Mason I was both relieved and shocked. A few weeks ago I would have said there is no way he would be capable of something like that but after the way he chose to publicly humiliate me, I guess I don't know him as well as I thought I did.
And seeing as he turned out to be an actual criminal, I should really thank him.

Imagine the damage it would have done to my reputation if we were still dating when the news broke. Like everyone is saying, I dodged a major bullet.

I hear a text notification go off and instantly stop breathing.

It's just mom reminding me of our lunch plans. She also asks me to make sure I bring Kenzie along. Apparently she has been ignoring mom's attempts to communicate with her.

Figures, Kenzie is such a drama queen.

You would think finding out she's Serena King's daughter would have her jumping for joy. After all she is an incredible business woman, a style icon, philanthropist and an inspiration to many women and young girls alike.

Only Kenzie wouldn't be happy about going from being an orphan to being an heiress overnight. I'm convinced she just enjoys being contrary.

Kenzie still hasn't replied to the text I sent her about lunch so I head over to her room. I raise my hand to knock but the door flies open before I can make contact.

Ava looks surprised to see me. This is the first time I have been to Kenzie's room in all the years of us attending Wellington.

She looks like she is on her way out.

"Can I help you?" Ava asks.

"Is Kenzie here?" I ask.

She closes the door but not completely because I can hear her speaking to someone inside the room. I hear Kenzie's voice but there is also a third unfamiliar voice.

The door is opened again by Ava on her way out and I enter.

Turns out the third voice was Tom.

Has Kenzie changed so much in such a short time that she isn't even afraid to be caught with her boyfriend in her room in broad daylight?

Wait, didn't they grow up as twins?

"It must have been so weird for you when you realized you dated your sibling." I only realize I said that out loud when I see the look on their faces.

Now that I know they are related I can see the similarities in their features.

"Morning to you too, Cassandra. FYI Kenzie and I never dated. Not everything ANIMA says is true but then again I guess everything they said about you must be true and that's way you assume everything else is too." Tom says.